International Relations in the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene as a new epoch brings into question the traditional modes of conceptualising International Relations. We believe that it does this by forcing students and practitioners Relations to think through how discipline works set ideas practices, in fact, way understanding nature problems policymaking per se. As discipline, is particularly sensitive questioning problematics human exceptionalism, rationalist problem-solving liberal modernist imaginaries progress, which have shaped agendas international peace, development democracy. Beyond dark days Cold War, when was essentially strategic exercise Realpolitik, has staked lot on basis Enlightenment liberalism universal panacea ills irrational structures or agencies can be civilised tamed further interests humanity, both national global regimes good governance rule law. These dreams solutions appear run aground last decade marked shift away from universal, ‘linear’ understandings power agency. In world, construed more complex, contingent relational replete with crises unpredicted ‘tipping points’, assumptions are up-ended unintended consequences seem relevant than ‘good intentions’. Concomitantly, methodological focus switched essence entities towards privileging analysis relations, networks contexts. Key been debates focused around climate change warming explicitly cast policy not external threats life’ (that requires securing) but instead starting separations between inside/ outside, humanity/ nature, solutions/ referents/ threats. This elicits very different thinking. If natural processes no longer separated historical impact merely backdrop purely drama domestic political contestation, then nature/ culture divide, separating social science, holds. Nature understood operating fixed laws, while politics separate sphere autonomy freedom. assumptions, central constructions seen exist always problematic. Thus, pressing problems, such extreme weather events, also matter tools available us: other words, we know —of epistemology— what understand world consist —i.e. questions ontology. Consider, for example, conventional security protection valued referent against condition challenges notion security. condition, problematises easy about ‘us’ ‘referent’ —as object secured. problematisation —the privileged gaze Western subject— opens up substantial deeply disciplinary expressed, Bruno Latour’s concept Earthbound people, i.e., an imaginary collective people who consider themselves responsive, due being bound Earth. problem much solution, ‘them’ ‘us’, ‘enemy’ ‘friend’. Accordingly, calls reflection upon —and ultimately transition from— idea separation humanity. To perform perspective, concepts “worldly” “ecological security” proposed. Matt McDonald develops engagement existing discourses According him, established ways thinking would reinforce problematic nature-culture divide either presenting threat vulnerable communities or, conversely, actors fragile need protection. Ecological supporting sustaining long-term resilience ecosystems —understood entangled systems non-human elements. Ensuring “ecosystems continue function face current future change” accordingly, only defensible approach Anthropocene. Similarly, worldly stresses war, major industrial accidents, ecological collapse do affect humans isolation rather endanger common worlds co-constituted diverse nonhuman beings. Harrington Shearing hold should become oriented “ethics care”. Care, according them, able emphasize types deep so appropriate discussing Earth’s ongoing unknown patterns interactions responses. It allows one see radical entanglement humans, animals, plants, bacteria, materials technology. Learning navigate care will primary task our world. article organised three sections. Firstly, introduce refer confronted with. Understood in, tactical confront, enables us go beyond binaries tradition. second section provides some background history Relations, here seek briefly flag importance relation could moving ‘inter-national’ state-centred during War broader concerns 1980s 2000s, increased interest Anthropocene, ‘planetary’ challenge followed decline ‘realist’ hegemony. third focuses implications key themes: knowledge,